Improvement in a machine for distributing and composing type



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. H. MITOHELA TYPE DISTRIBUTING AND GOMPOSING APPARATUS.

N0.Q,974.f Patented'Aug. so, 1853.

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W. H. ,MITGHEL;

3 Sheets--Sheet 2.

TYPE DISTRIBUTING AND OOMPOSING APPARATUS.

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PatentedAug. 30, 1853..

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W. H. MITOHEL TYPE DISTRIBUTING AND GOMPOSING APPARATUS.

No.9,974. Patented Aug. 30', 1853.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H MITOHEL, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN A MACHINE FOR-DISTRIBUTING AND COMPOSING TYPE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 9,974, dated ugust 30, 1853.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM HIMITCHEL, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented, made, and applied to use certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Distributing and Composing Types; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, wherein Sheet 1 shows the distributing apparatus. Sheet 2 shows the composing-machine, and Sheet 3 shows details of the composing apparatus.

The like marks of reference designate the same parts in all the figures on these sheets.

The nature of my invention consists in means for distributing the types from the forms and setting them up in rows within grooves, a given letter in each row, with the faces of the types upward and the bottoms of the types in a line, from which grooves the types are removed, each row of a given letter at a time, and placed within slides or conductors which supply them to an apparatus connected with finger-keys. The striking of any given finger-key drops one of the corresponding types on one of a series of belt-s, which are moved by competent pulleys. This series'of belts is elongated as the latter appreach the delivery end of the machine, and

is combined with a diagonal belt, so that any giventype dropped on any one belt takes an equal time to reach the point of deliverythat is, the composing apparatus-end consequently the types reach that point in the same order in which they are dropped by the finger-keys. This is effected by the diagonalbelt aforesaid, to which the types are transferred from the series of belts by means of small chutes, this diagonal belt carrying all the types to one point of delivery, where, by means of a conductor and composing-wheel they are set up in a line, ready to be placed in the galley in lines of the required length for transfer to the composing-stone.

In Sheet 1, Figure 1,'is a plan of the distributing-machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical longi- 4 tudinal section of the same. A is a table of the proper height, receiving small standards 1, carrying rollers a a, l lying across the table,

around which rollers are belts 2, of any suitable material and of any required number. These belts, in passing from one roller to the other, rest on a support or table I). 3 3 are cross-pieces secured to the frame of the machine, placed at a sufficient distance above the belts to allow the types to pass under them, having beneath them guide-bars 5, that cover the joints between the belts. G 6 are second cross-bars carrying guide-bars 7, oceupying the space over the middle of each belt, and one end of which is by an incline connected to the bars 5. Any type that may be laid on the belts between the slats 5' is car-' ried by the belts, they rotating in the direction of the arrows toward an inclined plane 0, the second bars 7 forming two spaces on one belt for the reception of types. Any desired number of the bars 7 may be used, the other parts being made to correspond, and it will be understood that the inclines that connect the bars 5 and 7 deflect any type that may be dropped on the belts between. the bars 5 5 and 3 3 into the proper grooye, while the groove that is inclosed atone end by the incline is to'be used between the bars 66 for the reception of a separate letter. The inclined plane 0 is shown with a series of straight grooves S in a part of its face to conduct the types to the grooves, where they are placed in rows, and another portion is shown with curvedv grooves to assert thick or thin types. In Fig. 3 one of these grooves is shown endwise to represent an opening-beneath a curved bridge 9. Now, if a thin type is dropped on any one belt which communicates with this part of the inclined plane, the type will run end first down theincline beneath the bridge; but if a thicker typeis dropped on the belt the bridge 0 deflects the type down the side groove into a separate receiving groove. The pulley cl on shaft 10 is to be rotated in the direction of the arrow, and by the pulley and band 11 rotates the rollers CL and belts 2. The types, as they slide down the inclined plane C and pass into the grooves between the bars 6, pass into the teeth of pushingwheels 12 on the cross-shaft 10. Each of these pushing-wheels revolves in a groove or narrow opening in the bed of the machine, and is a little more than half the width of the type, and each type, as it falls from the inclined plane, is raised up and carried over until itclined position in his right hand.

' rising to pass the type.

comes into a vertical position, when the bottom of the type takes the top edge of the groove or narrow opening aforesaid, in which the wheel revolves, and the next succeeding tooth of the wheel forces the type, and with it the whole row, along'the grooves formed by the bars e to the extent of the thickness of the type deposited. The part of the bed of the receiver through which the cam-wh eels 12 rotate should be slightly inclined toward the center of the shaft 10, so that the bottom of the type, being arrested by this part of the bed, is forced down the incline in a vertical position by the succeeding tooth 12, the incline preventing the base from sticking, and a small blocking-piece being placed in each groove supports the outer end of the line of types.

It will be evident that eachtooth of the pushplane and holds the types back until the next tooth passes, when itfalls and allows one type to pass into any or all of the grooves and on the teeth of the wheels. Instead of separate belts 2, a web or'apron might be used of the desired width. I The types are to be dropped .on the right spaces on their sides with the base of the letter toward the operator, he standing on the side X of the machine, and the bottom of the type is to betoward the incline C. They may be dropped by any convenient means; but I prefer and use the apparatus shown in plan in Fig. 4:, sectionally in Fig. 5, and endwisein Fig. 6, thatIterm the distributing-stick, which is formed as a'thin metal trough to receive one line or more at a time from the composed form. Inthese figures, f is the metal trough, having stop-points 16, that .prevent the types running out at the lower end. 17 is a spring, carrying cross-lips or pushers 18, and extended to form arms 19. It

will be evident that the line of types lying in the stick, with the beginning of the line next the stop-points 16, the letter will lie toward the operator, as he holds the stick in an in-' He should read the line before placing it in the stick.

Now, onstriking the arms 19 011 the crossbars 3 or 6, with the end of the stick over the proper belt for the first letter in the line, the

' lips or pushers 18 lift the type over the points .16, and it falls in the correct position on its side on the'belt. To prevent more than one type at a time being thus raised, 1 use keys 21, 22, and 23, the points of which are at successively greater distance from the points 16. These keys move on a center pin 24, and if the finger of the operator be placed on the key 21 only a thin type can be pushed up, and if on the key 22 a thicker one, the key 21 The operator of course places his finger on the required key,

according to the thickness of the type, and if a very thick type is to be thrown out of the stick none of the keys are used; but a crossbar '20, on which the keys rest, keeps the next type from rising. It will be necessary to have a small block of. metal behindthe line of types to keep them in their place and slide down as they are successively removed.

Having thus described the manner in which I "distribute a form of types, so as to place each character of letter together in successive rows, I next proceed to describe the method in which I compose any desired form. The types are to be taken in the rows from the distributing-machine by any suitable grab, and

either laid away ready for use or taken at once and placed in the proper conductor *or chute of a series of chutes g, Fig. ,7, Sheet 2,

which figure is a perspective View of my composing-machine. Fig. 8 is a section of the composing-wheel, and Fig. 9 is a plan of the same. Fig. 10, Sheet 3, is a perspective view of one key and slide or chute. Fig. 11 is a plan, and Fig. 12 a side View, of the key separately; and Figs. 13 and 14 show the manner in which the types are dropped one at atime from the conductors or chutes. B B are the legs of the composing-machine. C is a triangular frame carrying the parts. k is a pulley, to which competent power is to be applied to rotate the shaft Z, which shaft issupportedin bearings 33 and receives around it aseries of endless belts m,that are made successively longer, commencing at the right-handend of the machine; These belts are to be formed of tape, leather, india-rubber, or any suitable material, and pass from the top of the shaftlover the rest-bars n, and .n,around small pulleys z', returning around the under side of the shaft.- ries corresponds with thenumber of slides used, which number may bemore or less, ac-

cording to the capacity required for the machine. The types' are to be dropped as required on these belts by a means hereinafter described, and by the. belts they are carried and passed through chute X to a diagonal belt 0, which passes around pulleys 37 and 39, supported in standards 38 and 40. Pis abar or support on which the upper part of the belt rests as it is propelled in the direction of the arrow by means of the band 34 from a pulley on the shaft 1, or similar competent means; 35 are tightening-pulleys on an upright fixed to a slotted slide 36, by means of which the band 34 is guided and tightened. The chutes or conductors X bisect the angle formed by the belts m and belt 0, so as to partially. turn the types and causethem to enter fair on the center of the belt 0. The length of the longest of the series of bolts m is such, compared with the shortest from the base of the series of slides g to the rollers 2', that the belts m,all traveling at the same speed, and the diagonal belt 0, traveling considerably faster, thetypes all reach the pulley 39 successively in the same series in The number of belts in this se-" the belt 0.

which they are dropped from the slides g. The speed of the diagonal belt 0 must be to that of the belts m as the space between the two most distant points of intersection of the belts in with the belt 0 is to the excess in length of the longest over the shortest of the belts m. For instance, if a type is dropped on any one of the shorter belt-s it is carried by its belt and the belt 0 past the end of any one of the longer belts before a type subsequentlyfieposited on said longerbeltreaches The types are taken from the belt 71- at the roller 39 and set up, as hereinafter detailed. E is a key-board with fingerkeys 0, on which the letters dropped by each key are denoted. The key is raised by a spring 82 beneath it, or by a weight, if preferred, the amount of motion of the key being determined by the head of a screw, the shaft of which passes freely through a hole in the key into the key-board. The key It is formed with an arm connected to the short shaft 30,

' that is supported in bearings 29 and 31 at its ends, so that on depressing the key the shaft is given a partial rotation. 28 is a hub. near the far end of the shaft 30, with a bar formed like a fork, with points 26 and 27. By reference to Fig. 13 it will be seen that the lowest type in the conductor rests against a bearing block or stopper 25 and on the part 26 of the fork, and the belt m travels beneath, (the standard 29 being sufliciently outof the way to allow it to pass.) When the operator strikes any one of the keys h; the

' .pa'r'ts 26'and 27 of the fork are given apartial' rotation downward, carrying one type with them below the edge of the blockingpiece 25, and the type being unsupported at its top and resting on the curved part 26, falls over 011 its side, and the face of the type being toward the operator the belts carry the type wit-l1 the lower end or foot first to the roller 39. The part 27 of the fork blocks the line of types in its descent, (see Fig. 14,) preventingit from sliding down until the key is relieved and the parts resume the position shown in Fig. 13, when another type is ready to be dropped when needed. The blockingface of the part 27 of the fork is presented to the types at an angle to their sides in order to free it in rising and prevent its disarranging the types. The types arriving at the roller.39 in the order in which the keys are struck and lying on their sides, asbefore detailed are slid down a conductor q with the bottom end of the type first between guide bars 11-11., that form a groove between them of a width corresponding to the width of the types in lines These bars 11 and w are fixed on the composing-table D. r is a pulley, to which power is to be applied to rotate the shaft 42 in the direction of the arrow on it. This shaft 42 is in bearings 41 and carries on it withinthe groove between the bars '0 w a -composing-wheel 43 (similar to one of the wheels in the distributing part of the apparat-us) with teeth of a depth equal to the thickness'of the thickest type that is to be used with the machine. The teeth of thiscomposin g-wheel receive the types as they slide down the conductor (1 and carry them around till they reach the vertical position and deposit them in the groove, the tooth following each type pressing the whole line along to theextent of the thickness of thelast type supplied. To regulate the descent of the types I use a wheel S, set on a shaft 44, and supported above the wheel 43 on the standards 41. t is a gearwheel on the shaft 42, rotating the wheel to and shaft 4t in the direction shown by the arrow. The wheel S is formed with a deep groove around its periphery, receiving on pins it fingers t5 set to swing very easily on the said pins, so that as the wheel S rotates they pass over a stop or bar 47 anddrop,catch1ng each type successively as it falls and regulating the position of the types, so that they fall correctly into the teeth of the composingwheel, as seen in Fig. 8, the fingers passing through a slot in the chute q, and as the fingers swing freely in the direction contrary to the motion of the wheel, if one of them descends on instead of before a type the latter vis not detained, but passes freely on to th next finger. The object of the stop is 111 the contingency of a finger encountering the upper edge of the foot of a type in suclra way as to make it matter of doubt whether it may detain it or to let it pass to throw the finger into such a position as that it shall be free to swing either way. By the means before detailed the types are set up in one continuous line between the barsv and w, a sliding block beingus'edto support the outer end of the line of types. From this continuous line an assistant operator slides the amount required for one line in the form and places it in the galley, adding the necessaryspaces to fill out the same correctly. F represents'the galley in which each line is placed. It has one side adjustable, so as to make it of any desired width, and is furnished with a sliding block, which is pushed back as line after line is placed in the galley. The surface of the galley should be slightly lower at the end farthest from the assistant operator.

By reference to Fig. 7 it will be seen that the shortest of the series of belts on is provided with a short conductor 3 in which any type, the conveyance of which is not otherwise providcd for in the machine. may be placed by hand when required.

I do not claim arranging the composing apparatus so that each type has to travel nearly the same, distance to the point of delivery from the point at which it is dropped, as this has been effected by grooves; but I am not aware of any apparatus in which a combination of belts has been arranged with a View to all the types taking an equal time to travel from the point of deposition to the point of delivery, thereby carrying the types with certainty and avoiding all liability to stick or get into disorder.

I do not limit myself to the precise arrangement of the belts as long as the same end is attained. Neither do I limit myself to the number or size of the parts, as these mustbe varied to suit the types and the capacity required; but

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent 18- 1. The feeding belt or belts 2, combined with the inclined plane 0, Wheels 12, and grooves to distribute the type, in the manner specified.

2. The mode herein shown for forming the distributing-stick, with the points 16, spring 17,1ips- 18, and keys 21, 22, and 23, so as=to grtglp one type at a time on its side, as speci- 3. The bridge and form of groove to separate the thick from the thin types as they slide down the incline c, as specified.

4. A series of belts of lengths increasing toward the point of delivery of the types, in

combinationwith adiagonal belt to receive the series of belts, as specified.

and convey the said types from the S91 we of belts to the composing-table or other point in the order in" which the types are dropped on 5. Fitting the key for dropping the types, so that it shall give a partial rotary motion to the shaft 30 to operate on the fork or any analogous device to drop the types.

6. The fork 26 27 and blocking-piece o1 stopper 25, to drop one type at a time when moved by the key or any similar means. as specified.

7. The composing-wheel 43, to receive and set upthe types, either in the composing or distributing apparatus, as specified, and the combination of the said Wheel with the fingers 45, on the wheel S, or with the bar 14, to supply said wheel, as specified.

New York, April 10, I853.

WILLIAM H. MlTOI-IEL'.

Witnesses:

LEMUEL W. SERRELL, THOMAS G. HAROLD. 

